Design of energy-efficient buildings

该研究计划的长期目标是设计21世纪的节能建筑，称为可持续建筑。在设计和运营这些建筑物时，应尽量减少在建筑物生命周期内使用不可再生资源，并尽量减少对环境的影响。该研究计划的短期目标是：a.制定新的建筑可持续性指数(IBS)和基于热力学第二定律的评级标准，以考虑用于建筑和暖通空调系统建设和运营的不可再生自然资源的生命周期消耗，以及生命周期对环境的影响。B.根据来自自然模型的创新概念或使用新兴技术，开发新设计替代品的能源和(火用)性能和环境影响的数学模型；新模型将与TRNsys或EnergyPlus计划相结合；c.开发大规模优化模型，以最大限度地减少两个目标函数：IBS和生命周期成本。IBS考虑了：(I)生命周期能源使用量(年度能源使用量和建筑材料和设备中体现的能源)，以及(Ii)温室气体排放量。生命周期成本包括初始成本、运营和维护的年度能源成本、重大翻新成本、处置/回收成本和环境税。将探索两种方法来解决优化问题：(I)数学规划方法，以及(Ii)应用自然选择和进化概念的遗传算法。这一研究计划的结果将使建筑师、工程师、建筑经理、制造商和政府机构能够计划减少甚至避免建筑对自然环境的负面影响，如自然资源的枯竭和温室气体的排放。

The long-term objective of the research program is the design of energy-efficient buildings of the 21st century, called sustainable buildings. Those buildings should be designed and operated to minimize the use, over the building life-cycle, of non-renewable resources and to minimize the environmental impact. The short-term objectives of the research program are:   a. The development of a new index of building sustainability (IBS) and a rating scale based on the 2nd law of thermodynamics, to take into account the life-cycle depletion of non-renewable natural resources for the construction and operation of buildings and HVAC systems, and the life-cycle environmental impact. b. The development of mathematical models of the energy and exergy performance and environmental impact of new design alternatives, based on innovative concepts taken from nature's models or using emerging technologies; new models will be coupled with TRNSYS or EnergyPlus programs; c. The development of a large-scale optimization model to minimize two objective functions: the IBS and the life-cycle cost. The IBS takes into account: (i) the life-cycle energy use (annual energy use and energy embodied in building materials and equipment), and (ii) the greenhouse gases emissions. The life-cycle cost includes the initial cost, the annual energy cost for operation and maintenance, the cost for major renovations, the disposal/recycling cost, and the environmental taxes. Two approaches will be explored for solving the optimization problem: (i) mathematical programming methods, and (ii) genetic algorithms  that apply the concepts of natural selection and evolution. Results of this research program will allow architects, engineers, building managers, manufacturers and government agencies to plan for reducing or even avoiding the negative impact of buildings on natural environment such as depletion of natural resources and emission of greenhouse gases.